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Comparing cost-effectiveness of undergraduate course delivery: Classroom, online, and video conference at a technical institute in a mid -Atlantic state

Abstract

Higher education students can and do take courses delivered in a variety of ways. But, to date, little research has been done on the cost-effectiveness of different delivery modes. This study sought to fill that void by comparing the cost-effectiveness of three undergraduate course delivery modes: classroom, online, and video conference at a technical institute in a mid-Atlantic state. A mixed method approach was used, including cost-effectiveness analysis. Cost information was collected using an opened-ended protocol to interview administrators responsible for fiscal oversight for each delivery mode. Students ( N = 1,206) and faculty (N = 160) completed questionnaires on effectiveness, in terms of satisfaction, for each mode and on demographic characteristics. The questionnaire response rates were 74% for students and 86% for faculty. ^ Examination of the costs for the three modes showed that the least expensive delivery mode per student and per course was classroom, followed in order by video-conference and online, when the number of students per class was held constant at 20 students. ^